Net zero will make the UK ‘warmer and richer’
The MP who signed the UK’s net zero pledge into law has told an industry podcast that adapting buildings will deliver economic growth and better quality of life.
Former energy minister Chris Skidmore OBE, who chaired the government’s independent net zero review, said building services had driven major social change in the past and could do so again.
He was a guest on the latest Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) podcast with the Association’s chief executive David Frise and two representatives from heat pump manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric - head of sustainability Martin Fahey and net zero design manager Chris Newman.
Skidmore pointed out that, in the four years since the UK’s pledge became law, more than 90% of global GDP had been committed to net zero work.
He cited the adoption of central heating that transformed qualify of life in the 60s and 70s as an example of how the building engineering sector had driven major change in the past.
He said the government should be focused on what was needed to give the UK a competitive edge and create policy certainty for businesses, so they will make the right investment decisions.
